Jilt MTG Card

Jilt can significantly shift game dynamics, offering card advantage by bouncing multiple threats at instant speed. While effective, its discard and specific mana constraints may limit its use in some MTG deck strategies. Its unique kicker feature adds depth to gameplay, making Jilt a meta-relevant card with combo potential.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2001-06-04
Set symbol
Set name	Apocalypse
Set code	APC
Number	27
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Terese Nielsen

Text of card

Kicker o1o R (You may pay an additional o1o R as you play this spell.) Return target creature to its owner's hand. If you paid the kicker cost, Jilt deals 2 damage to another target creature.

"You're not my Hanna!" —Gerrard, to Yawgmoth

Cards like Jilt

Jilt stands out in the roster of tempo cards within Magic: The Gathering. As a card that can be played as a simple unsummon or upgraded with its kicker cost to additionally deal damage, it brings versatility to play. In comparison, Into the Roil serves a similar purpose with its bounce mechanism and kicker that draws a card instead of dealing damage. While it does not directly impact the board as Jilt does with its damage option, the card draw can offer a different kind of advantage through resource gain.

Another analogous card is Snap. Unlike Jilt or Into the Roil, Snap doesn’t have a kicker cost but it untaps lands upon resolution, potentially allowing a player to cast other spells in the same turn. This creates an opportunity for a tempo swing while preserving resources. However, it lacks the direct impact on an opponent’s creature that Jilt possesses.

Considering the options, Jilt holds a unique position among Magic: The Gathering’s tempo plays. The choice between dealing damage or not provides strategic depth. Each similar card offers their own benefits, but the direct and conditional agility of Jilt may be particularly appealing in specific game scenarios.

Cards similar to Jilt by color, type and mana cost

Accident-Prone Apprentice // Amphibian Accident - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Jilt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Izzet Faeries	Pauper	Izzet Faeries	Pauper League 2023-12-06 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jilt provides the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by returning a creature to its owner’s hand. When kicked, the additional effect of also bouncing a second target amplifies the potential for card advantage, by handling multiple threats with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Although Jilt doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of producing mana or tokens, the tempo gain from setting your opponent back can indirectly act as resource acceleration, giving you the time needed to deploy your resources more effectively.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Jilt offers tactical adaptability, allowing you to respond effectively to your opponent’s actions on their turn. This reactive capability ensures you can maximize the strategic impact of the card, whether it’s saving it for a crucial moment or simply surprising an opponent with an unexpected bounce.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Jilt requires the player to discard a card to activate its kicker effect. This can be a notable downside when your hand is running empty or if the card in hand is too valuable to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: Jilt’s mana cost includes blue, necessitating a dedicated slot in multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary mana open, thus potentially restricting its use to decks that comfortably support blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Jilt’s base cost is reasonable, its kicker cost makes it more expensive when the additional effect is desired. When compared to other bounce spells in MTG, the total cost for both the card’s effect and kicker might seem too steep, especially in a fast-paced game where mana efficiency is key to maintaining tempo.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jilt boasts flexible options, allowing it to be a valuable addition to various deck types. Its ability to either bounce a single creature back to an opponent’s hand or, with kicker cost, tackle an additional creature, makes it adaptable to changing game states.

Combo Potential: The kicker mechanism built into Jilt complements strategies built around casting multiple spells or utilizing spell copy effects. Its potential to remove two threats at once can swing games in your favor, laying the groundwork for powerful turn sequences.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where tempo plays are crucial, Jilt can disrupt opponent strategies by resetting their board development. This makes it especially relevant in metas with an emphasis on creature-based aggro or midrange decks.

How to Beat Jilt

Jilt is a versatile card known for its ability to disrupt your opponent’s board presence. To effectively navigate against this card, one must look towards strategies that mitigate its bouncing effect. One such method is to utilize creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, which can benefit you even when returned to your hand. This turns Jilt’s drawback into a potential advantage for you.

Moreover, indestructible creatures or those with hexproof are useful as they are less susceptible to targeted spells like Jilt. Additionally, playing spells that can counter non-creature spells can be a direct response, nullifying Jilt before it can affect the board. Consider the timing of your plays, as Jilt’s kicker cost requires additional mana—forcing the opponent to overextend in resources can render the card less effective.

Lastly, keep in mind that maintaining a diverse board state can dilute Jilt’s impact. By developing a strategy that can endure and adapt to potential setbacks, Jilt becomes less of a threat, allowing you to maintain dominance in the game. Constant awareness and adaptive play can effectively diminish Jilt’s influence on the match’s outcome.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jilt MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Jilt and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jilt has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal